Cough - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A cough is a sudden, forceful expulsion of air from the lungs, often to clear the throat or airways. It can be caused by irritation, illness, or as a reflex.
Definition:
A sudden expulsion of air from the lungs, often due to irritation or illness.
Synonyms:
hack, clear throat, bark, wheeze
Part of Speech:
noun, verb
Antonyms:
inhale, suppress
Common Collocations:
persistent cough, cough syrup, cough reflex, dry cough, cough medicine
Derivatives:
cougher, coughing, coughed
Usage Tips:
Use "cough" as a verb for the action and as a noun for the sound or instance of coughing.
Common Phrases:
cough up, barking cough, whooping cough
Etymology:
From Old English *cohhian*, of imitative origin mimicking the sound of coughing.
Examples:
- 1. She has a bad cough today.
- 2. He coughed loudly during the meeting.
- 3. Cover your mouth when you cough.
- 4. The doctor prescribed medicine for her cough.